Man City and Chelsea transfer target Cavani's £53m release clause up on August 10th

Daily Mirror | Jun 24

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentis has apparently dropped a clanger by telling clubs interested in buying his star man Edinson Cavani that the striker's £53million buyout clause EXPIRES before the summer transfer window closes.

Cavani, currently on international duty with Uruguay at the Confederations Cup in Brazil, has been linked with Manchester City and Chelsea, as well as Real Madrid.

Just two days ago, De Laurentiis claimed deposed Premier League champions City are out of the race because of that release clause.

"Manchester City do not have money to pay for Cavani, because they say, 'We won't pay that [£53m],'" he said in a press conference.

Now though, he has reportedly told Radio Rai that the clause is not open-ended.

"I don't think Cavani will leave on August 10th, when his buyout clause expires. I'm confident in him, because I consider him a real man. He won't make a joke of me," said De Laurentiis.

'Should Cavani want to leave, he will decide it after a long period of reflection. But by July 20th we will probably know everything about his future."

Meanwhile, Cavani has told Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport he is "flattered" by the calibre of the clubs tracking him.

"I'm flattered by the interest of certain teams. Who would ever say no to Real Madrid or Chelsea?